The CEO of the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia has suggested that it is currently unlikely that Formula 1 will return to the track any time soon.

The track first hosted a race in 1999 and was a regular on the calendar until 2017, with that being the last time an F1 Grand Prix was held there.

In the time since, we have seen MotoGP race in Sepang but F1 has instead gone to other venues in the Far East, including Singapore, and costs seemed to be the main issue behind it dropping off of the calendar.

However, in light of the Russian Grand Prix being cancelled, it was suggested Malaysia could come back onto the scene to help fill the void - though that is now looking unlikely - and it seems as though a return to Sepang for F1 is far from imminent:

Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of the circuit, had this to say:

“We should look at the big picture holistically, at how F1 can benefit not only the company but also Malaysia in terms of branding, ability to provide employment opportunities, talent development and others,” he told local media including Bernama.

“So, when we pay for the relatively high (F1) organising rights, the return should be high overall, not only from the SIC aspect.”

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 01: Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF70H on track during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit on October 1, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Clearly, then, he's looking for a bit more help financially before F1 is back on the table, though it would certainly be nice to see Malaysia back on the calendar.

It was a track that provided plenty of challenges with fast sweeping corners and long straights, whilst some of the weather you got ranged from debilitating heat and humidity to thunderstorms and torrential rain.